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Celebrity Dermatologist Dr Chytra Anand
Tells You Everything About De-tanning At Cinics
If you live in a tropical or equatorial region, it can be hard to relate to songs like “I’ll follow the sun” or
“Here Comes the Sun”, unless of course you are a preteen who still has summer vacations. For the rest
of us, venturing outdoors can be quite a nightmare, with the heat, humidity, and grime. These hostile
conditions wreak havoc on your skin, which makes great business for dermatologists. If anyone in
India should be singing refrains about the joys of summer, it should be dermatologists.
Towards the end of summer, adults and teenagers alike, start flocking to dermatologists for various
skin issues, most notable being sunburn and suntan. Post vacations and prior to resuming work or
college, people start to get more conscious about their appearances and they begin to seek help from
dermatologists to get rid of their summer tan.
What Is Tanning?
Tanning is the process of darkening of skin that occurs due to damage from UV exposure. As the skin
suffers damage on account of exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, the skin tries to protect itself
by increasing the production of melanin. The excessive melanin production results in skin darkening
and pigmentation. For this reason, it is advisable to use additional protection in the form of sunscreen
and sun protection aids.
De-Tanning Procedures:
1. Hydra Gel Peel:
This type of peel will help give you brighter, younger and healthier-looking skin, as it clears the top
layer of skin while injecting a bit of oxygen into the skin, thus revitalizing the skin cells.
These peels are formulated using intense moisturizing agents, antioxidants, and natural ingredients to
get rid of dull lifeless skin.
2. Microdermabrasion:
Microdermabrasion uses tiny exfoliating crystals that are sprayed on the skin. This treatment uses a
minimally abrasive instrument to gently sand your skin and remove the outer, uneven layer of skin,
including dead skin cells.
3. Chemical Peels:
Chemical peels like glycolic acid and lactic acid peels include solutions that are applied onto your skin
leading to peeling or exfoliation of the outer layers of skin. This effectively removes the damaged layer
to reveal fresher and brighter looking skin beneath.
4. Lasers:
There are various types of lasers available for de-tanning treatments like light-based lasers,
fractionated, ablated, and so on. They are only used in cases that require deep tan removal and the
recovery period for this procedure is much longer, as compared to other de-tanning methods.
Preventing A Tan:
In addition to opting for de-tanning treatments, here are a few methods to reduce the intensity of your
tan:
1. Sunscreen:
Sunscreens, in the form of lotions, gels, and sprays, contain a mix of organic and inorganic chemicals.
These inorganic chemicals deflect or scatter light away from the skin, serving as a protective physical
barrier. Certain organic chemicals also absorb UV rays, thus restricting the amount absorbed by our
skin. Whether you remain glued to your couch, or spend the entire day outdoors, you should apply
sunscreen at the start of the day. You will need to reapply sunscreen three-four times a day as the
effects wear off in a few hours.
2. Vitamin C Serum:
Individuals who get tanned easily and suffer from dark patches or pigmentation should add a vitamin
C serum that contains L-ascorbic acid, an antioxidant, to their skincare routine. This serum must be
applied prior to the application of your sunscreen. Vitamin C and L-ascorbic acid help to create a
protective barrier, shielding the skin against sunburn and skin damage.
3. Oral Sunscreen Aids:
Not as well known as topical sunscreen applications, these oral medications can significantly boost
protection against tanning and skin damage. They contain polypodium leucotomes, which is a plant
derivative, and various other phenolic compounds that provide antioxidant effects. These chemicals
help reduce the oxidative damage caused by UV light.
June 2, 2016